Why are encounters like these happening more often? Partly because people and animals are crowding each other. Houses, parks, and golf courses now stand where animals once lived. As animals lose territory, their food supplies shrink. Hunger drives them to the edge of the wilderness. That's when they run into people. Wildlife experts say some animals simply get lost. They go looking for food and find people. Some of these people start feeding them. The wild creatures lose their fear of people. Then the trouble really starts. Many homeowners report property damage. These animals also carry diseases that spread to humans.